Each year, 25 new films over 10 years old are added to the National Film Registry, an archive collecting some of the most culturally important motion pictures produced since the industry’s inception. The new additions include films dating back to the 1910s, but have also honored more recent blockbusters such as The Dark Knight and Shrek, as reported by THR.
This year, the registry has committed to showcasing more diversity amongst the directors of films featured. “With the inclusion of diverse filmmakers, we are not trying to set records but rather to set the record straight by spotlighting the astonishing contributions women and people of color have made to American cinema despite facing often-overwhelming hurdles,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden explained.
The new additions have nine titled helmed by women, including Kathryn Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker and Ida Lupino’s Outrage. Seven directors of color have also been featured, including Melvin Van Peeples’ Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song, Wayne Wang’s The Joy Luck Club, and Kathleen Collins’ Losing Ground.
Some of the most recognizable names in the list include classics The Blues Brothers, Grease, and A Clockwork Orange, while the more contemporary movies added to the registry include 2008 Oscar winner The Hurt Locker, Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, and, surprisingly, Shrek.
“Even by DreamWorks standards, the charm and magic of Shrek seemed extraordinary upon its initial release almost 20 years ago–and its power has yet to diminish in the intervening years,” reads the Library of Congress blurb explaining why Shrek is so noteworthy. “Entertaining and emotionally impactful at levels to be appreciated by children as well as adults, Shrek was a mega-hit upon its release and has been followed by three enchanting sequels, a TV holiday special and a Broadway adaption.”
The full list of movies added to the registry this year can be found below.
- The Battle of the Century (1927)
- The Blues Brothers (1980)
- Bread (1918)
- Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
- Cabin in the Sky (1943)
- A Clockwork Orange (1971)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- The Devil Never Sleeps (1994)
- Freedom Riders (2010)
- Grease (1978)
- The Ground (1993-2001)
- The Hurt Locker (2008)
- Illusions (1982)
- The Joy Luck Club (1993)
- Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914)
- Lilies of the Field (1963)
- Losing Ground (1982)
- The Man With the Golden Arm (1955)
- Mauna Kea: Temple Under Siege (2006)
- Outrage (1950)
- Shrek (2001)
- Suspense (1913)
- Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song (1971)
- Wattstax (1973)
- With Car and Camera Around the World (1929)
